Mary Ellen Tollefson

Mary Ellen Tollefson, age 93, of Roseville, MN, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025.

Mary Ellen was born August 14, 1932, to Clifford and Margie Bakken in Springdale, WI. After her parents died, she was raised by her uncle and aunt, Julian and Marie (Bakken) Johnson.

Mary Ellen graduated from Mt. Horeb High School in WI. She married her high school sweetheart, Martin, in 1953. After living in several different places where Martin served in the Navy and went to college, they moved to Roseville, MN in 1958. In 2024, they moved to the Lyngblomsten campus in St. Paul.

As a young woman, she held the highest volunteer leadership role in an organization, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, that taught leadership and community service to young women. She also worked at Fauerbach brewery in Madison and Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds.

She actively and reliably supported her husband, family, friends, and community, including volunteering at Como Park Lutheran Church, Girl Scouts, Falcon Heights Elementary, Lyngblomsten, and Meals on Wheels.

She was a good singer and enjoyed being a long-term member of Sweet Adelines. She participated in several card clubs and enjoyed golfing and traveling. For many years she and Martin would go to Gulf Shores to escape the winter. She and Martin also regularly attended their grandchildren’s many events.

She was an exceptional hostess, frequently hosting family and friends. She was a positive and determined person with a great sense of humor and smile that she was quick to share. Even when dementia took so much away from her, she still would smile and say hello to anyone who would pass by; and say thank you to anyone who was kind to her.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, June (Bakken) Underwood and Karen (Johnson) Stiller, and her loving husband and best friend Martin. She is survived by three children, Beth Cregan, Kari (Steve) Krengel, and Ross (Beth) Tollefson; as well as seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Mary Ellen will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 17, at Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 Hoyt Ave W, St Paul. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be considered to one of the following: Como Park Lutheran Church or the Lyngblomsten Foundation.